I know I said that I would be sharing small, Christmas knits with you first... but I finished this last week and have been too excited to keep it under wraps any longer. Of all my knitting projects, this one has got to be up there in my all-time favorites (despite it being my own personal Everest for the last three months). So good in fact, it's keeping me warm while I write - it's cold out there!

Notes on the pattern: Of all the many genius ideas of Elizabeth's, to me, the Pi Shawl is one of the most mind-blowing. If you aren't familiar with the pattern I urge you to read it, for the pure enjoyment of how clever it is in all its glorious simplicity. Worked from the center out, the entire piece has no more than 6 (or 7 in my case) increase rounds total - meaning 99% of this shawl is straight knitting (save whatever lacey embellishments you'd like to incorporate) which gets major points in my book.

The other beautiful thing about the Pi Shawl is its endless potential for individuality. Spend a little time trolling the web for completed Pi Shawls (there are hundreds) and you'll see what I mean. The beauty of the pattern is it's blank-canvas-like nature - consecutive rings of set stitch counts (144, 288, 576, etc.) which just beg you to plug in any old lace motif that's giving you an itch.

If you aren't feeling all that creative, or have your heart set on one of the versions EZ suggests (like I did) - that's just fine too. There are two beauties already laid out for you in both Knitter's Almanac and Knitting Workshop. I have always loved the straight forward and classic beauty of the 'consecutive YO ring' version and knew that I wanted to give it a go. This is basically a stockinette circular shawl with a *YO, k2tog* round thrown in every 6th row. I love how these "sham rows" completely camouflage the actual organic increase rounds. The shaping is invisible in the entourage of lace rings. So great!

Elizabeth talks about how there is never a need to increase beyond the 576 stitch section, as the shawl will already be nice and big (she says something about not having a need to cover a football field?). I had a lot of yarn though, and really wanted to see how far I could push this, with the ultimate goal of having a big blanket for the couch. My calculations showed that I would have enough wool for about 22 rows into the 1152 stitch section (oh the horror), plus an attached (9-stitch) garter side-to-side edging.

The most miraculous part of the whole process is probably that I was able to keep a treacherous number of stitches on a 36" circular needle. It got a little rough on my hands towards the end, but when that frantic finishing fever comes over you just about nothing can stand in your way, right? Having a huge round of knitting on a circular needle also makes it impossible to predict just how big the piece will be. Before working the edging, you have nothing more than a big rumpled sack of holey wool sitting in your lap that looks more like an oversized rasta cap than a lace blanket. Some days it took all my control to keep from bucking my calculations and indulging in the bind-off, just to be able to free the lace from the needles.

The edging of the shawl is the only section that got a little bit of fancy lace (not that fancy, but relatively). I think a little hint of laciness around the edge makes the simpler ring pattern really shine. After my final increase round I switched into a gull stitch pattern and worked 5 vertical repeats around before starting the attached garter stitch edging aaaaall the way around.

Some notes on yarn: Unspun Icelandic is a wonderful, wonderful thing. If you're a fan of wooly things, you must get your hands on some (I received mine as a gift from a friend in Iceland, but you can purchase it online through Schoolhouse Press). Don't get me wrong, this isn't a yarn you're gonna want around your neck - it's a far cry from merino - but it has its own unique qualities that I could go on and on about. First of all, because it's an unspun, long-stapled wool, it's as light as air and very warm. Even in a thin piece of lace full of holes, it works surprisingly well at trapping warmth. The blanket is huge and light and toasty -exactly the combination I was looking for. The other benefit is the yardage. Each wheel seems to go on and on and on - I made a blanket that covers a queen sized bed with less than 6 wheels of the stuff (it's about 300 yards to 3.5 oz) on a US 8.

And if you fear knitting with something so "delicate", you can get rid of that idea straight away. The wool staple is longer than the distance between your needle and your fingers, so while knitting it feels just like any other yarn, and if it does break coming out of the skein (rarely happened, unaided by dogs or human feet) it's no problem. The yarn sticks to itself like velcro - so to join a break just overlap about 2 inches on each end and knit right past it. That's the other bonus - no ends to weave in, and no spit splicing necessary. It's like knitting an 1800 yard cone - carefree and seamless. And to dispell any rumours, the knitted fabric is just as strong as any other yarn out there on the market.

I guess this counts as my first official finished knit of 2008. It's already taken some serious self-control to keep myself from purchasing more of this wool (the natural colors are amazing) and cast on for another. It became an immediate crowd-pleaser in my home, so another one might not be such a bad idea.

Edited to Add: The following information has been added to the post in response to questions I've received via e-mail about this project. I hope they are helpful.

First, more specifics about the color of the wool. I received this yarn as a gift from a friend in Iceland. She purchased the yarn there in person. Schoolhouse Press does sell this yarn, but in a limited palette - which I should have mentioned earlier - and does not currently carry the color that I used.

The color of my wool is titled Sea Green Heather and listed as product #1422 on the Istex official color card - viewable here. You'll notice they have a lot of wonderful colors! Don't say I didn't warn you.

In researching, we think that the best bet for possibly acquiring this yarn by mail order would be the Handknitting Association of Iceland, but can't say for sure. All of their contact information is available behind the link. NOTE: it seems that the colorcard listed on their site is an older version and sites Sea Green Heather as #9736.

Blocking: Yes, blocking was quite a challenge in our hardwood-floored, tiny apartment. I was hoping to be able to block the shawl on the queen-sized bed but realized very soon that this would not be possible. After some creative brainstorming, we tried a rather unconventional but nonetheless effective way of blocking - involving the box spring. The picture says it all.

And finally - a few of you asked if I worked with the unspun Icelandic wool single stranded or held it double stranded. I worked single stranded.

It's gorgeous! I admire your fortitude in keeping it going for so long. I would not have been able to resist binding it off sooner, so I'm quite jealous of your stick-to-it-ness. And what a reward you got in sticking to it!

oh my goodness, it is exquisite! I love the simplicity of it, it makes it so incredibly elegant. I really envy you your knitting skills + talent (and patience) - every single stitch looks so neat and symmetrical and PERFECT.

(I so far have only mastered stockinette, garter, and rib....with difficulty. Not deft enough, plus wrists hurt very easily. Woe. I wish I could make this piece!!)

great project. but i don't agree with not being able to wear this kind of wool next to skin. i wouldn't have survived pre global warming winters without it. and it is amazing that it doesn't break. i want to knit something with it again. it is all over the stores here. as is your koolhaas (saw it in a fuchsia tweed in a shop) and the cobblestone is the latest craze on danish knitting blogs. even i feminine and baby versions. that must be great and wouldn't have happened in the 90es. a positive thing about the global village. happy knitting.

You take my breath away! Another stunner off your needles. I'm sitting here in my koolhaas trying to stick to my own list of to-do's and not go to schoolhouse and purchase the yarn and cast-on. Soon... Terri J

A beautiful project that I've been meaning to knit for a very long time. Speaking of EZ, my friend just lent me the Knitting Workshop DVD, which I will watch this weekend, snug and cozy on the couch with my knitting.

You never fail to impress and inspire me. Again, I am utterly in awe. Totally, totally gorgeous.

Thank you for continuing to stoke the fires of an EZ revolution. She was a genius, indeed, and a whole lot more people are aware of that now because of your work (both knitwise and photography-wise). Kudos again, Jared. And thank you.

That's amazing! I'd like to hear more about your attached garter side-to-side edging. I'm looking for something like that for a blanket, but haven't found any instructions, maybe what you did is what I'm looking for.

A friend introduced me to your blog last month and I've been a fan ever since. Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous creations with us, and being so informative about the materials you use and modifications. I love your enthusiasm, the photos are awesome, and I wish I had more time so I could try my hand at everything I see here! I believe a Pi shawl is in my knitting future. Thanks!

thanks for the inspiration, Jared - I predict you'll start another revolution... anything you talk about seems to turn into knitting "gold" - I like to think of you as the "Oprah" of knitting - anything you seem to mention gets major attention! :)

I have a few more questions: What colorway is that? I went right to the site to buy some yarn, and I didn't see the color! Also, someone about asked if you used one strand? Oh, and yes, the blocking! How on earth, did you do that? Thanks!

wonderful, as usual - but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give your "recipe" for Big Blue - I've got two men clamouring for it, I've got the Beaverslide Yarn, I've got the EZ pithy instructions, but I NEED things written out - how can I BEG PLEAD AND IMPLORE you to write it out for some of us "less mentally endowed" knitters?

Wow! That is so cool. A friend brought me some unspun wool from Estonia (Evila--I don't know that it's exactly the same thing), and I spun the whole wheel up right away. Not having to draft was wonderful, but now I'm not so sure that was a good idea...

Nice nod to another EZ classic with the gull wing edge (didn't she like gull wing for the 2 needle baby sweater?). It must have felt incredible to cast off and release all of those stitches - something not to be started late of an evening because how could one stop?

Wow Jared, gorgeous work (knitting and photography) again! And I haven't even gotten to the Hemlock Ring blanket! :) May I just add my request to the lot pleading for "Big Blue" in written form? My husband just decided that's what he wants next. He doesn't voice many preferences, so when he does, I try to accommodate. ;)

First time poster here. I just had to comment on your shawl... gorgeous! I'm working on my own version of EZ's Pi shawl, using a swedish unspun lace weight yarn. It truly is a miraculous design, isn't it?

I'm a long time lurker on your site, but have to add kudos to all your work. I keep looking at shawls and admiring the "stick-to-it" that is required, but I think I could do this one!WHERE did you get the yarn? Thnx. Maryjo

Beautiful. And love the gull wing edge/garter edge. What a great idea. And thanks for answering all of my unasked questions about unspun Icelandic. Great post and the pictures are awesome as always. I'm also wondering how you blocked that puppy!

Maybe it's time to try spinning some yarn like this! The blanket is beautiful! I just got my copy of the almanac and am already brainstorming ideas. I love how you conceptualize EZ. Thanks for sharing!

Wow. Just, wow. The yarn is a delight (I wonder how much shipping to the UK is...) and your photography as ever is exquisite. Every time I read your blog I get photoenvy and decide I really must take better pictures. One question though - how in the name of all that is holy did you block this monster shawl???

Absolutely stunning! I must try this. May I ask what shade of Icelandic wool you used? I love the threads of color in this one - the greenish cast. I also love your photography. Everything seems to glow with inner warmth. Really beautiful.

I have one on the go already (in some random yarn I had in the cupboard), but when I reach this pattern in my "Ravelry knit through the Knitters' Almanac" then this is exactly how I want to finish it. Now I can't wait!Well done you - beautiful execution; and you take fantastic pictures too!

Your Pi Shawl look great! I am working on the BSJ myself and am nearly finished, so close, I can taste it. (denim and cream) But I ran out of blue yarn with only a couple rows to go...I'll have to wait 'til Friday to buy more as I am out of money. I have plenty of cream, but I just don't think It'd be right to finish it off with wonky stripes. I'm not crazy to wait 3 days for blue yarn,though, am I...?

I’ve given you a small award on my blog (http://birgittestrikker.blogspot.com/2008/01/award-time.html).I realise that you may have got several of these, but I just wanted to leave a comment here in order to stick to the “rules” that comes with the award.

I lived in Iceland for a couple months and got some good tips on unspun yarn when I was there. They told me that winding it into a ball naturally puts some spin in the yarn. So they said wind it into a ball two or three times if you want to make something that needs to be a little stronger.

This is so beautiful. You almost outshine your knitting with your photography...what kind of camera do you use? I absolutely love this blanket/shawl. I have been dying to make the flower patterned version with the unspun icelandic - thanks for the description of the yarn, I was curious. Once again, you've created something stunning!

Stunning in its simplicity! I really do admire your patience particularly for the sideways edging. Those things always drive me around the bend when I'm about halfway through - no matter how may shawls or tablecloths I knit.

I'm late to the party, but I could just kiss you for including info about that beautiful roving! I found it on Schoolhouse, but was so disappointed that they didn't have that gorgeous color! Can't wait to see if I can get some shipped overseas! Thanks!!